A place for me to discuss recent book acquisitions, my academic and other writing, my reading of fiction and poetry, and my enjoyment of popular culture. About the name: John Dee (1527-1609) kept a considerable library at his home in Mortlake, Surrey on the outskirts of London.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Spider-Girl News!

The little comic that could has been given a second life as Spider-Girl, which ended at the milestone 100th issue, is now being relaunched as the Amazing Spider-Girl. Thanks to the most dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase in all of comics, the adventures of Mayday Parker will continue in Amazing Spider-Girl #1 with Spider-Girl creator Tom DeFalco still at the healm.

As readers of Spider-Girl #100 are learning today, the last issue of the heroine’s series is just that – only the last issue of that particular series.

As has become the familiar refrain - Spider-Girl lives again - and this time, it’s a little more stable than before.

In October, Marvel will launch The Amazing Spider-Girl #1 by Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema. And – for fans of the character who’ve felt Marvel may have dropped the ball along the line, or never really worked to promote the series, the publisher is rolling out the marketing wagon. Case(s) in point:

— The Spider-Girl Saga #0 which catches readers old and new – up on the character and her world, will come out two weeks before the new #1 issue.

— Ed McGuiness will provide a variant cover for #1.

— Posters featuring the cover to #1 are being readied for promotion.

— The Amazing Spider-Girl postcards are being prepared.

The reprieve is no act of charity; the book's writer Tom DeFalco makes clear that the title has consistently generated income for Marvel. Interestingly, the lion's share of Spider-Girl's sales come from outside of the direct market.

But going back a couple of months ago, they told us that, bottom line, these books are selling terrific in the mass market. We’re reaching an audience that everybody thought and still tend to think that comic books cannot reach anymore. But we’re doing it, and we’re doing it with numbers that are quite significant. That’s why Marvel continues to move ahead with Spider-Girl. Today, when people look at numbers, they tend to look at the Direct Market numbers, and judge form there, but that’s not the whole market anymore – lucky for us.

Boo-ya! I still don't understand why it was neccessary to cancel the title and start a new one. Just add "Amazing" to the title on #101 and go with it. I think the higher numbers would make it more impressive. Of course, maybe it's also more intimidating to new readers?

And I am absolutely shocked - shocked! - that a comic book might be appealing to fans outside the core audience. Who knew such a thing was possible?

Yeah, this was definitely good news. Tom DeFalco has kept the characterization and tone of Spider-Girl remarkably consistent over time.

Keeper: I was shopping for comics for my neice yesterday, and, thankfully, the digest of Spiderman Loves Mary Jane was on the shelf. (I bought a copy for myself, too.) Like Kalinara, I haven't talked to her about Supergirl (she's 10).